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OLD FORT SANDOSKI 

AND THE DE LERY PORTAGE 



Erection of Historical Tablets 
on Memorial Day, May 30, 
1912, at Port Clinton, Ohio 



By LUCY ELLIOT KEELER 



Reprinted from Volume XXI, Ohio State 

Archaeological and Historical 

Society Publications 



OLD FORT SANDOSKI 



AND 



THE DE LERY PORTAGE 



Erection of Historical Tablets on 

Memorial Day, May 30, 1912 

at Port Clinton, Ohio 



By 

Lucy Elliot Keeler 



Reprinted from Volume XXI 

Ohio State Archaeological and Historical 

Society Publications 



Columbus, O. : 

The F. J. Heer Printing Co. 

1912. 



/- 4^9 r 



I- 

c 



\- 1ANISI3 



OLD FORT SANDUSKY AND THE DE LERY PORTAGE. 



BY LUCY ELLIOT KEELER. 

Local history has its renascence in tradition, which passes 
along from generation to generation hints of names and adven- 
tures, which appeal at last to some student of the past and send 
him forth in quest of sources. Such traditions have long lingered 
about the little peninsula at Port Clinton, in Ottawa County, 
Ohio: traditions of venturesome French monks and traders; of 
an ancient fort, destroyed and rebuilt and destroyed again ; of 
British redcoats and Rangers, Pontiac's savages and Dalyell the 
avenger ; of Bradstreet ; and finally of William Henry Harrison 
building a brush fence to corral several thousand war horses, 
while their riders sailed away on the ships of Commodore Per- 
ry to finish, on the banks of the Canadian Thames, the one vic- 
torious military campaign of the second American war with Great 
Britain. The wealth of recent discoveries bestirred by such tra- 
ditions materialized in the recent erection of two simple but 
handsome monuments bearing six historical tablets which were 
unveiled with interesting ceremonies at Port Clinton, on Memor- 
ial Day, May 30, 1912. 

Two pyramidal monuments of boulders stand two miles 
apart, at either end of what is known as the "de Lery Portage 
of 1754," formerly Fulton Street and Road; the one marking the 
site of Old Fort Sandoski of 1745, faces Sandusky Bay, oppo- 
site the mouth of the Sandusky River; the other the Harrison- 
Perry Embarkation monument, overlooks Lake Erie near the 
old mouth of the Portage River. These termini, together with 
the short land portage connecting them, teem with history as 
absorbing as any in this country ; and it is most appropriate and 
gratifying that they are finally worthily marked, and their story 
narrated in enduring bronze for every passer-by to read. 

The location of Old Fort Sandoski of 1745, the first fort 
built by white men in Ohio, long a subject of earnest research, 

(345) 



346 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



was definitely settled by Col. Webb C. Hayes of Fremont, and 
Mr. Chas. W. Burrows of Cleveland, by tbe discovery in 1906 of 
the de Lery Journals. Mr. Burrows' work in publishing the 
"Jesuit Relations" had familiarized him with the richness of the 
Canadian archives, and at Colonel Hayes' request he communi- 
cated with the archivist of Laval University, Quebec. Some 
clue being found, Colonel Hayes and Mr. Burrows at once visit- 
ed the Rev. Father A. E. Jones, of St. Mary's College, Montreal, 




The Harrison-Perry Embarkation Monument at the Northern 
Terminus of the Old Sandusky-Scioto Route from Lake Erie to the 
Ohio River later called the Harrison Trail of the War of 1812. This 
monument was dedicated May 30, 1912., 

and Abbe Gosselin, archivist of Laval University, Quebec, at 
which latter place the eight de Lery Journals, covering his ex- 
pedition from Quebec from 1749 to 1754, were discovered. One 
of these journals, 1754, with its numerous maps and accompany- 
ing descriptions of the daily journeyings and solar observations, 
settles definitely the exact location of old Fort Sandoski, the 
fifst fort built by white men in Ohio, the location of which has 
until now been in doubt even among our foremost historians. 



Old Fort Sandoski and the Dc Ler^^ .Portage. 347-. 

The site of Old Kdrt Sandoski having! been definitely fixed, 
a monument of- split boulders from the. Marblehead peninsula, 
ten feet in height by five feet square at base was erected by the 
Business Men's Association of Port Clinton, and on its face were 
affixed four tablets, presented by the Colonial Danies and the 
Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, narrating the 
Indian, British, French and American occupations of this ancient 
site. Two miles north, at the Lake Erie terminus of the portage 
across the peninsula is the almost equally interesting point where 
the Indians and French hunters, explorers and war parties habit- 
ually landed, and later where Harrison embarked for the con- 
quest of Canada in 1813. The monument at this point bears 
bronze tablets presented by the Ohio Society and Daughters of 
the American Revolution, and the National Society of the 
Daughters of 1812 (State of Ohio). 

The Ohio State Archaeological arid Historical Society having 
decided to mark these interesting points, communicated with the 
Patriotic societies whose field of activity covers the interesting 
period marked by the tablets. In June, 1909, Mrs. J. Kent Ham- 
ilton, of Toledo, representing the Colonial Dames resident in 
northern Ohio, on behalf of the Dames; Mrs. C. R. Truesdall 
of Fremont on behalf of the Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion; and Mrs. C. B. Tozier on behalf of the Daughters of 1812, 
each subscribed the necessary fifty dollars to secure the manu- 
facture of the bronze tablets ; the Archaeological Society providing 
funds for the remaining three tablets, the French Expedition of 
1754, the British Expedition of 1760 and the American Expedi- 
tion of 18 1 3. The inscriptions were prepared by Colonel Hayes, 
and by special permission of the War Department the tablets 
were manufactured at Rock Island (111.) Arsenal. While the 
citizens of Port Clinton were generous in their subscriptions, the 
matter dragged for nearly three years when the men gallantly 
turned the entire management over to a committee of ladies 
members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. J. 
E. Brodhead, wife of the Rector, and Mrs. Geo. A. True, who 
by their indefatigable efforts secured the erection of the two split 
boulder monuments, and announced the desire of the Business 
Men's Association of Port Clinton to hold the dedicatory exer- 



348 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

cise on Memorial Day, May 30, 1912. When the de Lery Jour- 
nals furnished the necessary information as to the exact location 
of Old Fort Sandoski on what is now the beautiful fruit farm of 
Mr. Rhode, that gentleman and his wife patriotically tendered 
the site free to the Archeological Society for the proposed 
monument. Owing to the brief notice and to the long-time 
previous engagements to speak on Memiorial Day, Col. Henry 
Watterson, dean of American journalism, who had enthus- 
iastically agreed to deliver the address was unable to be present ; 
and as it turned out, through an accident, Mr. Chas. W. Bur- 
rows to whom the public is greatly indebted for the publication 
of the "Jesuit Relations" and of Avery's "History of the United 
States and its People," was also unable to be present. 

]\Iemorial Day having been chosen for the dedication of 
these monuments and the unveiling of the tablets, visitors be- 
gan arriving early in the morning. Delegations from many patri- 
otic chapters of Cleveland, Toledo and Sandusky, with Mrs. 
Thomas Kite, State Regent of the D. A. R. of Ohio were pres- 
ent; Mrs. C. B. Tozier, Past State President of the Daughters 
of 18 1 2, and the newly elected Regent of Western Reserve Chap- 
ter, D. A. R. ; Mrs. Chas. H. Smith, chairman of the Memorial 
Committee of the Daughters of 1812 for Ohio and Mrs. John T. 
Mack, President Daughters of 1812, State of Ohio. There 
came also a large delegation from Ursula Wolcott chapter, D. A. 
R., of Toledo, and Mrs. J. K. Hamilton of the Colonial Dames 
of America and Vice State Regent, D. A. R. ; Mrs. C. R. Trues- 
dall of Fremont, State Vice President General, D A. R. ; and a 
large delegation from George Croghan Chapter of Fremont and 
Martha Pitkin Chapter, Sandusky. 

The visiting delegations were met on their arrival by hos- 
pitable people of the town and conveyed to the Court House, 
from which the procession was formed, headed by the Wideman 
Band, and in scores of automobiles and carriages were taken to 
the site of the old fort where a stand and seats had been ar- 
ranged, facing the beautiful waters of Sandusky Bay and River. 
The assembly was called to order by Col. W.' C. Hayes, of the 
Ohio State Archaeological *and Historical Society who asked Mr. 
and Mrs. Rhode, donors of the site of the Ft. Sandoski monu- 



Old Fort Sandoski and the De Lery Portage. 349 

ment to occupy seats on the stand with the speakers ; and called 
on Mr. R. S. Gallagher, president of the Port Clinton Business 
Men's Association to act as chairman of the meeting. 

The program was carried out as follows: 

The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Ohio 

The Ohio Daughters of the American Revolution. 
The National Society United States Daughters of 1812, 

State of Ohio 

The Ohio State Arch^ological and Historical Society, and 
The Citizens of Port Clinton, Ohio 

invite you to be present at the Unveiling of the Commemorative 
Tablets and the Dedication of the Monuments erected to mark 
the site of old Fort Sandoski of 1745 — the first fort built by 
white men within the present limits of Ohio — and of the north- 
ern terminus of the Sandusky-Scioto Trail — from Lake Erie 
to the Ohio River — where Major-General Harrison embarked 
for his Canadian Campaign of 1813. 

PORT CLINTON, OHIO, MEMORIAL DAY 

Thursday, May 30, 1912 

invitation committee 

Mrs. J. E. Brodhead, Port Clinton, Chairman 
Mrs. J. Kent Hamilton, for the Colonial Dames of America 
Mrs. Clayton R. Truesdall, for the Daughters of the American Revolution 
Mrs. John T. Mack, for the Daughters of 1812, of Ohio 
Col. Webb C. Hayes, for the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical 
Society 

PROGRAM 

Exercises at Old Fort Sandoski of 1745 

At 10:30 a. m. 

Chairman R. S. Gallagher, President Port Clinton Business 

Men's Association 

Prayer • Rev. S. K. Straus 

Music during unveiling of Tablets Port Clinton Band 

Presentation of Tablet from the Colonial Dames.. Mrs. J. Kent Hamilton 

Unveiled by Master Allen Hamilton 
Presentation of Tablets from the Ohio State Archaeological and 

Historical Society, Col. Webb C. Hayes, one of the Trustees 

Unveiled by Master Richard Brodhead 



ir- 



350 *"■ vOhio Arch. .and Hist.^ Society. \P4iblications:i \ 

Acceptance of T'ablets-.\ci.;<(^ .^:^»^i^i^,ifc^•,J5v>>fb>fiei•:V'3fcv^;•^'•^.Rr'{^^,• Gallagher 

Address, "Old Fort Sandoski of 1745. and the De Lerv Journals . 

Lnarles William Burrows 
Exercises at HARSrsbN-^PfiRRY ' Embarkation' Moj^ument 

At 1:30 p. m. 
Chairrrtan ../......../;......, .%.''.■,■'■.•; ii ..:. .-.v. ;.Ho«. George A. True 

Prayer. . . . ; j .,;..'; .■:/.• v.- , . . . .;. .•: ;, ; :.'„■., ,\,i ....;s,;.ij,,,v. -Rev^ J. E. Brodhead 

Music during unyeiling ■ of Tablets,., ,...Port Clinton Band 

Presentation of Tablet from the Daughters of the American Revo- 
lution. Unveiled by Mary Elizabeth Truesdall 

Mrs. Thomas Kite, State Regent 

Presentation of Tablet frorn the Daughters of 1812, Unveiled by 

Alice Davenport Snyder.. Mrs. John T. Mack, State President 

Acceptance of Tablets 1 .....Hon. George A. True 

Music Port Clinton Schools 

Address .Hon. Judson Harmon, Governor of Ohio 

Address Hon.' George E. Pomeroy, Past Governor Society 

Colonial Wars 

Address Prof. G. Frederick Wright, President Ohio State 

. . Archaeological and Historical Society 

Music Port Clinton Band 

Address ........Hon. James M. Richardson, President-General 

Sons American Revolution 

Music Port Clinton Band 

Benediction 

Mr. Gallagher made an excellent presiding officer and de- 
livet*ed a most appropriate and patriotic address in accepting the 
tablets and monument on behalf of the citizens of Ottawa 
County, and pledged the perpetual maintenance and care of the 
monuments. 

MRS. J. KENT HAMILTON, 

of Toledo, in presenting the tablet of the Colonial Dames, spoke 
as follows : 

"The Colonial Dames in Ohio feel it a privilege to be per- 
mitted to speak a few words on this interesting and memorable 
occasion. Tn the good old Colony Days, when we all lived under 
the King,' it was the King of France who thought he ruled this 
country here and held it by a chain of forts reaching from 
Quebec to New Orleans, and expected this barrier to check the 
sweep of English emigration as the heavy iron chains stretched 



Old Fort Sandoski and the De Levy Portage. 351 

across the river by the mediaeval ItaHans prevented the approach 
of the ships of the enemy. But the ancestors whom we honor 
by our membership in the society I represent were warriors who 
were not to be checked in this way. The colonists were most of 
them so recently transplanted from old England as to be British 
by birth in many instances as well as by the allegiance that did 
not waver before the French troops, however it might regard the 
King's tax gatherer. The Colonies were not the same as the 
Thirteen States. They were Royal or proprietary or charter 
colonies and even when bearing the same names as the States 
which succeeded them often covered a very different extent of 
territory. But now a hundred and fifty years after the fall of 
Quebec and the death of George the Second, in territory 
originally granted to Connecticut by its charter, is gathered an 
association of one hundred and sixty-eight women, whose ances- 
tors served in nine of the original colonies, and who rejoice in 
being permitted to assist in commemorating the achievements 
of the men whose blood still runs in their veins." 

COL. WEBB C. HAYES 

represented the Archaeological Society in presenting the three 
tablets descriptive of the French, British and American military 
occupations of the fort, and spoke in part as follows: 

"The functions of the Ohio State Archaeological and Histor- 
ical Society are manifold and embrace a great variety of subjects 
for research, so that every member has an opportunity to ride his 
hobby. While on trips around the world, serving as a soldier 
in Cuba, Porto Rico, the Philippines and China, 1 noticed how 
carefully the older countries marked their battlefields and his- 
toric places, and on returning home became interested in locating 
the site of the first military post in the Sandusky Valley. With 
Mr. Burrows I visited Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec, and at the 
latter place found the very interesting series of eight journals 
kept by de Lery during his expedition from 1749 to 1758, from 
Quebec to the Great Lakes and the ■ Mississippi. Portions of 
these journals were copied and translated through the permission 
of the Jesuit authorities, and published by J^Tiss' Lucy Elliot 
Keeler in the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical publication 



352 



Ohio -Arch, and Hi^t. Society Publications. 



in October, .1908, under the dtle of 'Old Fort Sandoski, of 1745 
and the Sandusky , Country.' From an examination of these 
journals, verified by the r.esearches, of Colonel Whittlesey, Judge 
Baldwin and Mr. Goodman of the; Western Reserve Historical 
Society, we karn that the, French as one of their routes to the 
Mississippi, ascended the St. Lawrence from Quebec, portaged 
around Niagara Falls, and hugging the southern shore of Lake 
Erie entered Sandusky lake or bay, and landed near this spot, 
from which place, if they wished to proceed further up the 




Colonel Hayes speaking at the unveiling of the monument and tablet 
marking site of Old Fort Sandoski of 1745, May 30, 1912. 



Great Lakes they portaged across the peninsula two miles back 
to Lake Erie and then on to Detroit and Mackinac. Or they con- 
tinued up the Sandusky River to its headwaters and then after 
a portage of four miles across to the headwaters of the Scioto, 
they entered that stream and followed it down to the Ohio and 
then to the Mississippi and its mouth at New Orleans. This 
watercourse through the present State of Ohio from Lake Erie 
to the Ohio River was called the Sandysky-Scioto Route, and 



Old Fort Sandoski and the De Levy Portage. 353 

the Sandusky-Scioto Trail followed the high banks contiguous 
to the river usually found on all streams in this section, and was 
generally located on the westerly banks of the Sandusky and 
Scioto rivers. The tablet on the south face of this monument, 
'French Expedition of 1754,' contains the roster of officers with 
the number of men, 285 in all, which formed the French expedi- 
tion of which de Lery, the author of the Journals was the senior 
lieutenant in 1754. The British soldiers and the colonial hunters 
and trappers pushed out from the colonies of Virginia and Penn- 
sylvania, and eventually captured Ft. Duquesne at the junction 
of the two rivers forming the Ohio, which they rechristened Fort 
Pitt ; and Ft. Pitt became the seat of the British power in the 
west as Detroit had long been the seat of power for the French. 
Owing to the rivalries of the Indian chiefs in their dealing with 
the French at Detroit, one of them, a Huron chief called Nicolas, 
withdrew from Detroit and settled on the Sandusky and soon got 
in communication with British traders, finally in 1745 granting 
them permission to erect what has since been known as Old Fort 
Sandoski of 1745. 

"It is to mark the site of this fort and its two successors, 
built and destroyed within a period of eighteen years, from 1745 
to 1763, that we have erected this monument. It is almost unique 
in this country as marking the site of a fort occupied during 
periods of war, first by the native Indians, then by the French, 
then by the British, and finally by the Americans fifty years 
after its final destruction, during General Harrison's invasion of 
Canada and the relief of Detroit in the second war with Great 
Britain, September and October, 181 3. 

"The long standing rivalry between the French and the 
British for the possession of the American continent terminated 
in what is known as the old French War of 1755-1760. Montcalm 
and Wolfe, the commanding officers respectively were killed 
in the battles on the Plains of Abraham at Quebec in 1759 
which was followed on the loth of September, 1760, by the 
surrender of Montreal and French sovereignty in America, al- 
though the formal treaty of peace was not made until 1763 in 
the Treaty of Paris. Major Robert Rogers, of New Hampshire, 
Vol. XXI — 23. 



354 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

with his company of Colonial Rangers, was despatched from 
Quebec to proceed to Niagara and the Great Lakes to take over 
the French forts. This famous Ranger had among other captains 
in his command, the famous Capt. John Stark, husband of 
the gallant Molly, and we hope to find affirmative proof that 
John Stark accompanied him to this spot, as later did that 
famous hunter, soldier of fortune and grand Revolutionary 
soldier, Israel Putnam, who came here in command of Connecti- 
cut troops in Bradstreet's expedition of 1764. Rogers from his 
camp here on Sept. 18, 1760, sent his formal written demand to 
the officer at Detroit for the surrender of that city and the 
other French forts as narrated on the bronze tablet on the 
north face: 'British Expedition 1760.' Rogers returning with 
the French officers came again to this fort and then proceeded 
overland to Ft. Pitt and Philadelphia. The Indians, however, 
always loyal to the French, resented the intrusion of the British 
Redcoats and Pontiac, the great Ottawa chief, carefully or- 
ganized his famous Conspiracy which was so perfect in all its 
details. Early in May, 1763, the storm burst. 'Nine British 
forts yielded instantly, Detroit and Ft. Pitt alone escaping cap- 
ture; and the savages drank, scooped up in the hollow of joined 
hands, the blood of many a Briton ; Sandusky was the first to 
fall.' Ensign Pauli, the commandant, was the sole survivor 
here. Without going into detail as to the horrible atrocities 
committed on the prisoners, it has been said by a cynical bache- 
lor with more courage than discretion in the presence of the 
warlike Daughters of the American Revolution, that Pauli was 
reserved for the most frightful of all punishments to which man 
could be subjected. He w^as taken to Pontiac's camp and con- 
demned to be married to an Indian squaw. The British relief 
expeditions were hurried forward on receipt of news of the In- 
dian uprising. They came to Fort Sandoski only to find the 
fort destroyed and the garrison massacred. Captain Dalyell 
was so incensed at the sight of the horribly disfigured 
bodies that he delayed here long enough to make an in- 
cursion into the Indian country, destroying the Huron camp 
at the Lower Falls of the Sandusky, (now Fremont), be- 
fore proceeding to Detroit where he was soon killed in 



Old Fort- Sandoski and the^De Levy Portage. 355 

leading a sortie against Pontiac's Indians. Detroit was finally 
relieved by the British Expedition' commanded by Col. John 
Bradstreet which was organized in the Hudson Valley to operate 
from Lake Erie and form a conjunction with Colonel Bouquet's 
expedition, which was organized at Fort Pitt. Colonel Brad- 
street's British army on large boats entered Lake Erie, skirted 
along the southern shore to Sandusky Bay and then up to the 
mouth of the Sandusky River, resting awhile here at the ruins of 
Old Fort Sandoski. After relieving Detroit, Bradstreet returned 
to Sandusky Bay and River and proceeded up the river to the 
Lower Falls, (now Fremont), camping along the rim of that 
beautiful amphitheatre which extends from old Ft. Stephenson, 
around the curve to the present Sandusky County Fair Ground 
on the high bank of the Sandusky River, near the ruins of one 
of the Free Cities described by General Lewis Cass. Brad- 
street's expedition which had now reached the heart of the 
Indian Confederacy was unable to proceed further owing to 
his inability to get his large water craft over the Lower Falls 
of the Sandusky; but the object of the expedition had been ac- 
complished, the Indians had become terrified by this attack in 
their rear, although prepared to meet Colonel Bouquet in his 
advance from Fort Pitt, and sued for peace, agreeing to release 
all the white and half-breed captives in their possession. The 
captive whites were faithfully delivered to Colonel Bouquet 
who reaped the glory of the expedition, although the honor 
really belonged to Col. John Bradstreet. 

"During the Revolutionary War, Detroit was the head- 
quarters of the British in the west, under the scalp-hunting 
Lieut.-Governor Hamilton, who had for his assistants the 
renegades Elliott and Girty. It has been computed that, includ- 
ing the Moravians and other white prisoners captured by the 
Indians in western Pennsylvania and along the Ohio River, that 
during the Revolutionary War there were held in the aggregate 
over two thousands white prisoners at Lower Sandusky, (Fre- 
mont). To aid the Indians in-the repulse of the Crawford Ex- 
pedition of 1782, the British commandant sent Butler's Rangers, 
with cannon, by boat from Detroit, up the Sandusky River to 
Lower Sandusky, where they met their horses ; but their services 



356 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



were not required, as the American expedition ended disastrous- 
ly with the death of Crawford, who was burned at the stake, near 
Upper Sandusky. 

"Although the treaty of peace of 1783 gave the United States 
Its present northern boundary along the waterways north of Ohio 
and Michigan, yet the territory contiguous to Detroit was noi 
actually evacuated by the British until 1796, after the defeat of 
the allied Indian tribes, by General Anthony Wayne at the Battle 
of Fallen Timbers, in 1794. In fact the British erected Ft. 
Miami in 1786, on the site of the old French Factor's building 
within the present city limits of Toledo, and this fort was occu- 
pied by them during General Wayne's battles. This Ft. Miami 
was again occupied by the British in the siege of Ft. I^Ieigs in 
May, 1813. It is often confused with the old Ft. IMiami at Ft. 
Wayne in Indiana, which is the Ft. Miami of early Colonial 
days. During the second war with Great Britain, the British 
again ascended the Sandusky river and bombarded Ft. Stephen- 
son at Fremont, but were repulsed by the gallant Major George 
Croghan, and retreated down the river and over to Detroit where 
they remained until the British fleet under Captain Barclay was 
captured in the memorable Battle of Lake Erie on September 
10, 1813, by Commodore Perry. This ended the British occupa- 
tion of Ohio and of the waters of the Maumee and Sandusky 
valleys. The American occupation of the site of this fort is 
described in the tablet on the east face of the monument, 'Ameri- 
can Expedition 181 3', which tells how the American forces 
marched down over the old Sandusky-Scioto Trail, and how the 
stores and supplies were shipped from Ft. Stephenson down the 
river, to the site of the old Fort here, and then tells how the 
boats were dragged across the two mile portage to the waters 
of Lake Erie at the old French and Indian landing place of the 
eariier days which we have also marked with a monument knoWn 
as the Harrison-Perry Embarkation monument, because at that 
point General Harrison's army embarked on Commodore Perry's 
fleet some ten days after the battle of Lake Erie and was then 
conveyed first to Put-in-Bay or South Bass Island, then to Mid- 
dle Sister Island, finally landing in Canada, relieving Detroit 



Old Fort Sandoski and the De Levy Portage. 357 

and meeting the British in the Battle of the Thames where 
Proctor with his British Regulars was defeated and Tecumseh, 
with many of his Indians, was killed on the 5th of October, 
1813- 

"Before leaving Ohio with his regulars and the Kentucky 
militiamen under Governor Shelby, General Harrison caused to 
be constructed a brush fence extending across this peninsula 
at a point where it was about two miles in width, from the mouth 
of the Portage river to a point opposite the mouth of the San- 
dusky river. Within this enclosure all the horses were turned 
loose, and Col. Benjamin Rife, an Ohio militiaman, was left 
in command. The returning Kentucky and Ohio volunteers with 
the British prisoners captured by General Harrison's army 
camped again here, gathered up their horses and proceeded to 
their homes over the old Sandusky-Scioto Trail, the northern 
half of which has since been called the Harrison Trail of the 
war of 1812. 

"Three years ago it gave me great pleasure to present to 
the State for the use and benefit of the Ohio State Archaeological 
and Historical Society, the residence of my parents known as 
Spiegel Grove, at Fremont, for the purpose of preserving the 
remaining half mile of the famous old trail which runs through 
it and has not yet been obliterated ; with the single condition that 
this Trail should be maintained and preserved as a park road. 
The entrances to the Trail where it passes in and out of Spiegel 
Grove have been appropriately marked with split boulder gate- 
ways, and the Harrison gateway with descriptive historical tab- 
lets on the cannon forming the upright columns. 

"It is a curious fact that in passing from Lake Erie into the 
Sandusky river, the Indians, the French and sixty years later 
the Americans in their military expeditions, used this de Lery 
portage of 1754, and liauled their boats across it, in passing 
from Lake Erie to the mouth of the Sandusky; and that the 
British alone, both in the old French war and in the war of 1812 
entered through the waterway formerly known as Lac Sandoski, 
and now called Sandusky Bay. Although the distance around 
the peninsula by water was less than fifty miles, nevertheless- 



358 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

the Indians, the French and the Americans preferred to haul 
their watercraft and shipping across the de Lery Portage rather 
than risk the dangers of Sandusky Bay. 

"It is a matter of pride to the Ohio State Archaeological and 
Historical Society that it has been able, with the assistance of the 
Colonial Dames, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the 
Daughters of 1812 and the citizens of Port Clinton, to mark 
the landing places at the termini of tnis famous portage, and 
preserve for all time the site of Old Fort Sandoski of 1745, 
unique in having been used in war by the Indians, the French, 
the British and the Americans." 



Chairman Gallagher then accepted the Monument and Tab- 
lets in an eloquent address, after which Dr. G. Frederick Wright, 
President of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical So- 
ciety spoke briefly in place of Mr. Chas. W. Burrows who was 
detained by an accident, on "Old Fort Sandoski of 1745." 



The ceremonies at the unveiling of the Harrison-Perry Em- 
barkation monument on the shore of Lake Erie occupied the 
afternoon after the Memorial Day exercises by the G. A. R. 
Post. The people again formed in line at the Court House and 
preceded by the band and Co. M., 6th Ohio National Guard, of 
Oak Harbor, and hundreds of school children carrying flags, 
Marshal of the Day, Mr. Wonnell in command, marched to the 
site of the monument, where a great audience had assembled. 
The band and Company M. formed in line about the monument 
followed by school children. As the band played The Star Spang- 
led Banner, Misses Mary Elizabeth Truesdall and Alice Daven- 
port Snyder loosened the two flags which concealed the tablets, 
representing the Daughters of the American Revolution and The 
Daughters of 1812 respectively. Seats had been placed on the 
lawn in front of Hon. George A. True's home directly opposite 
and from the porch the addresses followed. 

Mrs. Kite in a fine address presented the Tablets from the 
D. A. R. of Ohio and was followed by Mrs. John T. Mack, state 
president of the Daughters of 1812, presenting the tablet from 
that society. Mr. True accepted the tablets on behalf of Port 
Clinton, the school children sang well a patriotic song and ad- 



Old Fort Sandoski and the Dc Lcry Portage. 359 




Harrison-Perry Embarkation Monument unveiled May 30, 1912. 



360 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

dresses followed by Hon. Geo. E. Pomeroy of Toledo, Past 
Governor of Society Colonial Wars ; Prof. G. F. Frederick 
Wright, Hon. James M. Richardson of Cleveland, President 
General Sons of the American Revolution and Colonel Webb C, 
Hayes. To all who attended the exerices were of great interest 
and made the day memorable while the hospitality of Port Clin- 
ton's patriotic people to all the visiting delegates will long be 
gratefully remembered. Prof. Wright in his afternoon address 
called attention to an interesting fact. He said that both monu- 
ments were of boulders which had come from what was originally 
British soil, carried down by ice floes probably about ten thou- 
sand years ago from upper Lake Huron and Lake Superior 
regions and deposited on Ohio's soil. 

MRS. kite's address. 

It is a well known saying that "Nations are ungrateful." 
Even Washington Irving said, "The idol of today pushes the 
hero of yesterday out of our recollections, and will in turn be 
supplanted by his successor of tomorrow." 

While all this may have been true in the past, it is hardly 
justified now. 

The changed condition is largely due to the tremendous in- 
fluence of patriotic societies, so ably represented here today, an 
influence which is rapidly increasing year by year, and is being 
recognized as a power in state and national legislation. 

The marking of historic sites, locating important trails, dis- 
covering Revolutionary graves "has been no easy task. 

The success attending such efforts is wonderful, and reflects 
great credit upon the local and state committees having such 
matters in charge. 

It has been up-hill work because of the general utilitarian 
and too practical spirit of many Americans, who are prone to 
place land values upon a financial, rather than a patriotic or sen- 
timental basis ; but perseverance and fidelity to a set purpose, 
have conquered in many instances over commercialism, and thus 
we have our monuments and many old buildings restored and 
saved. 

Bacon has said, "Industrious persons, by an exact and 



Old Fort Sandoski and the De Lery Portage. 361 

scrupulous diligence and observation, out of monuments, names, 
words, proverbs, traditions, private records and evidences, frag- 
ments of stories, passages of books that concern not story, and 
the like, do save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time." 
In all such work none have been more enthusiastic and 
untiring in their efforts than the Daughters of the American 
Revolution. 

It needed but the suggestion of Col. Hayes, backed by his 
wonderful enthusiasm and zeal, to start the "Ohio Daughters" 
on their work of helping to locate the most historic trail in the 
state, running from Port Clinton to Columbus, now known as 
the "Harrison Trail." 

My illustrious precedessor, Mrs. Clayton R. Truesdall then 
state regent, received the suggestion with her usual clear headed, 
farsighted grasp of the situation, and enthusiastically presented 
the subject to the Daughters of the American Revolution at their 
next state conference, held in Athens. 

With Mrs. Truesdall "to think is to act," and in her usual 
convincing manner made the members of our society see the 
matter from her view point; and the tablet to mark the end of 
the Harrison Trail was assured, also much necessary work 
from the Historic Sites commiittee, of which Mrs. John T. 
Mack of Sandusky is the most efficient chairman. 

All over Ohio the Daughters of the American Revolution 
are doing splendid work along the same lines. 

In this connection, the largest undertaking in which we are 
concerned is the "Ocean to Ocean Highway," to be formed by 
successive old roads and trails. 

It seems tremendous in its scope and expense, but if com- 
pleted will be the proudest achievement of modern times. 

The work is well started in Ohio, and will be pushed as 
rapidly as possible. 

Much has been accomplished by our society in this work in 
Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska and other western states, and with 
our rapidly increasing membership formed of the best and truest 
women in the land, success must of necessity crown any effort 
of ours. 



362 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

The short inscription of this tablet we are honoring today, 
gives concisely historic facts which all may read. 

It does not need a very vivid imagination to see and feel 
all the labor, sacrifice, bloodshed, aching hearts and desolate 
homes which are summed up in these facts. 

We exult over the victories achieved, and thrill with horror 
over the martyrdom of Col. Crawford. 

His name is on the beadTroll of fame, and we all unite to 
honor his memory, (and here it gives me pleasure to state that 
our newest chapter, in Bucyrus, is named "Hannah Crawford," 
in memory of the brave wife of the martyr.) 

Could he speak we might hear him say : "I have executed a 
monument more lasting than brass, and more sublime than the 
regal elevation of pyramids which neither the wasting shower, 
the unavailing north wind, or an innumerable succession of years 
and the flight of seasons shall be able to demolish." — (Smart's 
Horace.) 

In the name of the Ohio Daughters of the American Revo- 
lution, I present this tablet to mark the northern terminal of the 
old Indian water way and land trail, later known as the 
"Harrison Trail." 



ADDRESS OF MRS. JOHN T, MACK. 

The Daughters of the War of 1812 esteem it a great honor 
to have erected this, their first tablet in the State of Ohio on so 
historic a spot, and especially so, because it commemorates so 
much history in the war period this organization stands for. 
We have gathered here today to commemorate scenes in the 
making of our nation which transpired almost one hundred 
years ago. Here the red man came from the northland on his 
way to the beautiful Ohio country. Again, we read of the trap- 
per and a little later, of the history of old Fort Sandoski, and 
of the terrible scenes enacted there at the time of Pontiac's con- 
spiracy. During the war of 1812, Commodore Perry and Gen- 
eral William Henry Harrison met in council not far from this 
place. Commodore Perry requested Gen. Harrison to give him 
troops to help man his ships. Thirty-six men responded, and 45 



Old Fort Saiidoski and tJie De Lery Portage. 



363 



FORT SANDOSKI 

1748-174t 1750-1781 
I781-I7e8 



THE F 
ifcT£ MEN m 

fRIT 
J'NHA, k_\t . v, iT\ J/4C u ^ - 1 r. 
^^PROTECTiOf* GF THE HURON 
IJf N AND OESTROrEO 

RAFTER Hl£ DEFEAT BY 
'EHCH fN 1748 PRtOB TO 
^MOVAt TO THE ILLIHOIS 
RY 

LT BY BRITISH IH I7S0AIH) 
ED BY THE FREMCH flT 17«!" 
jREBOilT BT BRITISH SOLDIERS 
{•i 1781 AFTER THE SURREMDEH OF 
aUEBEC AND FRENCH SOyEREICNTY 
IH AMERICA 

ARD FlUALLY DESIH0Y1ED AT THE 
OUTBREAK OF PONTIAtft COHSPI- 
RACY tBTM tlAf 1713 
WHEN THE FORT WAS BURNED THE 
ENTIRE CARRISDH WASSACRED 
WfTH.THE SXCERTIOH OF THE 
COMMAMSftllt ENSIGN PAUL! WHQ 
WASCARRYED OFF A PRISONER TC 
PONTIAC THEN flf SIECIMC -DETROIT 
ERECTED BY THE OHIO SOCIETY 
COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA 



: :he sVe^; r'^zt of the rrs 
>^-- v FrnhP-rV-Ha Ti Monument. 



TKS 



lk4. 



364 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

years ofter the battle of Lake Erie, William Blair, of Lexing- 
ton, Richland county, one of those 36 men who had volunteered, 
visited Put-in-Bay, and attended the 45th anniversary cele- 
bration of the battle of Lake Erie. He exhibited a rich and 
massive silver medal, bearing the impress of Perry, with approp- 
riate inscription, which had been presented to him with the 
thanks of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, of which state 
he was then a citizen, in testimony of his bravery in that memor- 
able battle. After the battle of Lake Erie, General Harrison be- 
gan to concentrate his forces at the mouth of the Portage river 
here. Governor Shelbey was on his march, and joined him with 
4,000 volunteers from Kentucky. General McArthur had ar- 
rived at Fort Meigs, General Cass had reached Upper Sandoski, 
and Colonel Hill with a regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers 
was on the march from Erie. About 7,000 men were advancing 
for the invasion of Canada. On September 17, Governor Shel- 
bey with his 4,000 mounted troops arrived at the Portage. Gen- 
eral Harrison thought it best that they serve as infantry in the 
Invasion, and in order to secure their horses against escape, it 
was necessary to build a brush and log fence across the penin- 
sula, from Sandoski Bay to the Portage river. This provided 
the horses a luxurious pasture. The number of horses left here 
on the peninsula is estimated to have been about 5,000. On the 
20th of September, Gen. McArthur's brigade from Fort Meigs, 
joined the main body here, after a fatiguing march of 36 miles 
down the Lake Shore by way of Brownstown. Col. Johnson's 
regiment had orders to approach Detroit by land, direct from 
Fort Meigs, while such of Col. Hill's detached militia, as chose 
not to cross into Canada were ordered to guard the British 
prisoners taken by Commodore Perry from the Portage to Chil- 
licothe. The different posts on the American side were left in 
charge of Ohio militia, and about 500 of the Kentucky volun- 
teers remained to guard the horses and stores. On the 21st of 
September, at the dawn of the day, the embarkation from this 
immediate shore commenced. For want of sufificient boats, not 
more than one-third could embark at one time, and it was neces- 
sary for the boats to return several times before all the troops 
could be transported to Put-in-Bay, while Perry's fleet was busi- 



Old Fort Sandoski and the De Lery Fortage. 365 

ly engaged in conveying the baggage of the army. On the 22d 
of September, the whole army had reached the island and was 
encamped on the margin of the bay. The Lawrence and six 



FRENCH EXPEDITION 1754 

ACROSS THE DE LERY PORTAGE 
FROM QUEBEC TO OETROfT AND W^CHjLV^1^l- 
aulNAKAS NOTEO IN THE JOURNAL OF TH-E 
CHEVALIER CHADsaEGROS DE LERY WHICH ON 
AU^CUST4 1754 LANDED NEAR THIS SPOT"AND 
DISCOVERED THE RUINS OF THE CLP FORT ' ^W.^. 

FORT SAMDOSKJ f74S-174a 1750-lflPP 

MONSIEUR P.EAN CAPTAIN REGIMENTAL 

ADJUTANT OF QUEBEC COMMANDING 1 

MONSIEUR ST. MARTIN ACTING MAJOR 

MONSIEUR LERY 

MONSIEUR ST. OURS LIEUTENANTS 3 

MONSIEUR RICAUVILLE 

MONSIEUR DESMElOISES 

MONSIEUR PORNEUF 

MONSIEUR COURNOYER ENSIGNS 4 

FATHER BONNECAMP JESUIT 1 

MONSIEUR FORGET DUVERGER JESUIT OF 

THEMISSrONS ENTRANCERES 1 

MONSIEUR MAUVILES 

MONSIEUR VIGEE. 

MONSIEUR/GARON SURGEONS 3 

MONSIEUR LAFORGE STOREKEEPER 1 

MONSIEUR GO NSTA NT AN OLD fNTERPRETERI 

27 GAI^OES EACH CARRYING 10 MEN^Mfc- 270 



ENSIGNS 
JESUIT 



2BB 



29-^9 



^j- . S iU>**t.e^-„ 




Tablet on the South Face of the T-rnrrimn Po.-ry t7^k-.^i.--^^;^^ Monument- 
prize ships captured from the enemy lay at anchor in the center 
of the bay. in full view. Here the}' remained until the 25th of 
September when they again embarked, some in. small boats, and 



"366 Ohio Arch, and Hiitf. Society Publications. ■ 

some on board the fleet to take their second position nearer 
Canada. They arrived a little before sunset that day at East 
Sister Island, while General Harrison and Commodore Perry 
in the Ariel, made a reconnoissance of the enemy's coast. It 
was not until the morning of the 27th, that they began this last 
journey across the lake. One account says the day was fine and 
a propitious breeze made their passage a pleasing pastime. It 
was a sublime and inspiring spectacle to behold sixteen ships 
of war and a hundred boats filled with men borne rapidly and 
majestically to the long sought shores of the enemy, and thus 
they sailed until 4 p. m., when they landed four miles below 
Maiden. From this point, they marched to Detroit, and then 
on to victory at the battle of the Thames. The battle of Lake 
Erie was the first encounter of our infant navy, in fleet and 
squadron, the Guerriere, the Java, and IMacedonia had sur- 
rendered in combat with single ships, but it was on the waters 
of our fair Lake Erie, that the British nation was taught that 
we could conquer them in squadron array. The battle of Lake 
Erie opened to Gen. Harrison and his army the gate-way to 
Maiden, and enabled him to capture the only army that was 
taken during the war of 181 2. More than this, it restored to us 
Detroit, gave our young nation once more, free navigation of the 
Great Lakes, and shielded the frontier for 300 miles from the 
assaults of the torch of a British and savage foe. Mr. Chairman, 
the National Society, the United States Daughters of the War 
of 1812, State of Ohio, presents with great pleasure, for safe- 
keeping, this tablet wnth the patriotic hope that those who pass 
by in future years, will stop and read of the brave men and their 
deeds recorded hereon, and cherish anew love of liberty and 
free government which made this a nation, and has always 
kept it such. This tablet marks the nothern terminus of Ohio's 
famous Harrison trail — a historic spot indeed in the history of 
this republic. 

PROF. G. F. Wright's address. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are standing upon one of the 
most interesting spots connected with American history. From 
the middle of the eighteenth century to the close pf the War pf 



Old Fort Sandoski and the De Levy Portage. 



367 



BRITISH EXPEDITION 1780 

ACRPSS THE DE LERY PaRTACE 
FROM QUEBEC TO OETRClTvAND M4CHLIMAKANA 
TO TAKE OVER THE' FRENCH FORTS ON THE 
..^EAT LAKES AFtrR THE SURRENDER OF 
BEBEC AND FRENCH sovereignty in AMERICA 
AS NOTED IN THE JOURNALS OF MAJOR ROBERT 
IROCERS COMMANDING HIS 'MAJESTY'S INDE- 
feENDENT COWPANjES OF RANGERS WHO ON 
ffi£ t8THN0VEMBER'17e0 FROM HIS CAMP ON 
^DUSKY LAKE vdEMANDED THE SURRENDER 
ffi:: DETROIT ' 

tELE"ER OR THE OFFICER COM- 
TROIT ■:-":- 

SIR. I HAVE GEN. AMHERST'S' 
'DERS TO TAKE POSSESSION OF DETROIT 
i^N^D: SUCH OTHER POSTS AS ARE IN THAT 
"""^""IIGT WHICH BY CAPITULATION AGREED 
D SIGNED BY THE MARQUIS DE VAUDREUIL 
lis EXCELLENCY MAJOR GEN. AMHERST 
TH OF SEPTEMBER LAST NOW BELONG TO 
XilNG OF GREAT BRITAIN" 
OVINC DETROIT >'0N THE 28° DEC. SET 
T FOR PITTSBURGH AND MARCHING ALONG 
E WEST END OF LAKE ERIE TILL THE 2^° 
^ JAN UARY'V 1781: WHEN WE: ARRIVED AT 
<E SANDUSKY*' WHERE THE BRITISH FOR; 
1 THIRO TIME BU-LT FORT SANDOSKI 
^VTNO -^'ENSIGN PAULI AND FJ-TEEN Vm 
.^.-SANDUSKV" WHERE HE REMAINED UNTIL THE^ 
i'OliTBREAK'OF fONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY WHEN 
J'ON THE t8^H MAY 1783 THE FORT WAS. 
F'BURN^D THE ENTIRE GARRISON MASSACRED 
i WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE COMiVlANDANT 
► 'ensign PAUt^r 'WHO' WAS; CARRIED' A^PRISONER 
i: TO PONTIAC THEN. :B£;g.EI:CJNC,:IETBi;!1T 



rj*^-??j 



Tablet on the North P'ace of the Hfti-riaon Ptii^ EllltJJl ' kaLiw t Monument. 



368 0/iw; Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

1812 this portage leading from the head of Sandusky Bay across 
the neck of iVLNrblehead Peninsula to the open waters of Lake 
Erie figured largely in the struggle of two great European pow- 
ers for the possession of the vast realm lying west of the Alle- 
gheny mountains. Jt was here, also, that the Indian tribes made 
their last great effort to maintain their possession of the country, 
and that the United Sutes concentrated its last force which 
completed Perry's victory and closed the War of 181 2. Such 
deeds as were here transacted deserve commemoration, and it 
is fitting that we should here erect monuments to remind our 
children and children's childien of the price that has been paid 
for the inheritance which they possess in these broad and fertile 
fields, in these lines of communication open to them both by land 
and water, and in the free political institutions under which they 
enjoy without restriction life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness- 
It is but two miles across this neck of land separating the 
upper part of Sandusky Bay from the waters of Lake Erie. To 
make the circuit by water one must travel fifty miles. With only 
the primitive boats of 150 years ago the navigation of these fifty 
miles was beset with many hazards. There had then been no 
accurate soundings of the channel, so that unknown shoals where 
in storms the breakers were high rendered the rounding of Mar- 
blehead a dangerous procedure. So it came about that the In- 
dians coming from Detroit and the upper lakes on their way to 
the Ohio river preferred to make this portage rather than to 
consume the time required in making the entire circuit by water 
and at the same time free themselves from the hazards of that 
voyage. 

Following them, the French and the Americans pursued the 
same course in all their military expeditions. The English alone 
pursued the other course, as in the expeditions of Proctor to 
capture Fort Stephenson, at the lower falls of the Sandusky 
river, where Fremont now stands. 

In 1745 the first fort built by white men in Ohio, known 
as old Fort Sandoski, was erected on this spot by English trad- 
ers, who were conspiring with the famous Wyandot chief Nicolas 
to drive the French from Detroit and all the upper posts. The 
conspiracy, like that of Pontiac a little later, failed through the 



Old Fort Sandoski and the De Lery Portage. 369 



-MERIGAf^ EXPEDITION 1813 

.■.-;• ■ACROSS THEDE LERY PORTAGE ■ 
RGjyi FORT SENECA to DETROIT AND THE fN- 
VASIDN OF CANADA AS NOT EDIiyDAPTAmR 
MCAFEE'S HISTDRYIB^e MpH 
MAJOR GENERAL HARR ISON^TO RECE I ViNC 
WORD OF COMMODORE PERRY'S VJCTORY 
PROCEEDED TO FORT STEPHENSON AND"IS- 
SUED HIS ORDERS FOR THE MOVEMENT OFTHE 
TROOPS AND TRANSPORTATION OF THE PRO- 
VISION MILITARY STORES ETC.TOTHE MAR- 
GIN OF THE LAKE PREPARATORY TO THEIR 
EMBARKATION" / 

THE TROOPS WERE MARCHED DOWN THE OLD 
SANOUSKy-SClOTO TRAIL TO ITS NORTHERN 
TERMINUS ON LAKE ERIE 
"IN BRfNCfNG DOWN, THE MILITARY STORES AND 
PROVISIONS FROM THE POSTS ONTHE SANDUSKY 
TIVER TO THE VESSELS IN THE LAKE A SHORT 
:AND CARRIAGE BECAME NECESSARY TO EX- 
PEDITE eMBARKATI ON 

T WAS- DEEMED MORE SAFE AND EXPEDITIOUS 

"0 TRANiSPfiRT THE STORES AND DRAG THE 

DATS ACROSS TH£ ISTHMUS WHICH WAS AC- 

QMPLISBED BETWEEN THE tBTHAND THE 20T!^. 

iFjTHE MONTH tSEP,16133 EACH REGIMENT WAS 

ORDERED TO CONSTRUCT A STRONG FENCE OF 

^RUSH AND FALLEN TIMBER IN FRONTOTTS 
ENCAMPMENT WHICH EXTENDED WHEfclFIN- 
iSHEb FROM PORTAGE RIVER TO 8tAN|USKY^ 
PrVER WITHIN THIS; ENCLOSURE THCm HORSES 
WERE TURNED LOOSE TO CRAZE ON AMPLE 
-ASTURES or EXCELLENT CRABS" 



Tablet on the East Face of the Hnrrigon Puij EiilliJikcrt ron Monument. 
Vol, XXI — 24. 



370 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

treachery of one of the followers of Nicolas — in this case a 
woman. In 1748 old Fort Sandoski was destroyed, and both 
the Indians and the English took their departure. 

The English traders, however, soon returned, which led the 
French to send a formidable force to establish their possessions 
along the south shore of Lake Erie and onward to the Ohio 
river. In 1754 the French built Fort Junundat, on the opposite 
side of Sandusky Bay from old Fort Sandoski. This was the 
work of the distinguished engineer de Lery, who, skirting along 
the southern shore of Lake Erie, entered Sandusky bay and 
reached old Fort Sandoski on Sunday, August 4, 1754. In fur- 
ther pursuit of his journey he made a portage of two miles to 
''the great lake" at the present site of Port Clinton. 

After the capture of Fort Duquesne by the British in 1758, 
and Wolfe's victory on the Plains of Abraham at Quebec in 
1759, Canada with all its dependencies was surrendered to the 
British crown, but it still remained to carry into effect the full 
terms of the conquest by taking over the western forts. The 
commission for the occupation of old Fort Sandoski and the 
opening of the trail to the Ohio river was executed by the notori- 
ous Major Robert Rogers, leaving Ensign Pauli and fifteen men 
at Fort Sandoski to complete the work in 1761. In 1763 Fort 
Sandoski was the first to fall as the result of the conspiracy of 
Pontiac. All the garrison was massacred except Ensign Pauli, 
who was carried as a prisoner to Detroit, where he made his es- 
cape. About the same time a party of ninety-six men under 
Lieutenant Cuyler was sent out to relieve Detroit, but was in- 
tercepted on the way, and the most of them killed, the Lieutenant, 
however, with thirty men, managed to escape and to reach Fort 
Sandoski only to find it in ashes. Two months later, on the 26th 
of July, a detachment of 260 men under the command of Captain 
Dalyell arrived at the ruins of the old fort, and, furious at the 
spectacle, came up to the falls of Sandusky — now Fremont — 
to avenge the massacfe and destroyed the Wyandot village at 
that place. ■.■j^ni- 

In 1764 Colonel Bradstreet, accompanied by Israel Putnain 
and 1,183 men, visited old Fort Sandoski and paused for a little 
test. While there he made an unfortunate agreement with the 



Old'Fort 'Sandoski and the De. ,Lery. Portage. 37J... 

Indians which, eventually led to hig dismissal,, from the se;rvice. 
His distinguished engineer, r Montresor, vva.s , left to rebuild the 
fort/'whichj however,. \yas only, partially accomplished. 

There is not much more recorded concerning- the portage 
of old Fort Sandoski until the War of 1812, .wh.en, after the 
victory of Commodore Perry, on September 10, 1813, General 
Harrison, with his entire army, moved down .from his head- 
quarters at Fort Seneca, on tlie Sandusky river, first to Fort 
Stephenson at Fremont, and then to the old portage from Fort 
Sandoski, at Port Clinton. Here, following the example of 
the French expeditions of earlier times, he hauled his vessels 
and his supplies across the famous de Lery portage, where we 
now stand, ready to transport his army for a final conflict on the 
banks of the Thames. He constructed a fence across this pen- 
insula in order to confine the thousands of horses connected 
with his command, until he should return from his expedition 
across the lake. Within the Marblehead peninsula, thus inclosed, 
he turned loose the horses to be guarded by a small force until 
his return. After the battle upon the Thames the victorious 
army returned to Port Clinton, gathered up their horses and sup- 
plies and joyfully started upon their homeward journey. 

Thus it will be seen that my opening remarks were amply 
justified by the facts. The deeds here recorded deserve to be 
imprinted upon the memory of every citizen of Ohio. They 
should be reiterated in the presence of our children at home, and 
should be incorporated into the text-books prepared for the in- 
struction of schools. As a slight efifort to perpetuate their 
memory, we erect these monuments, and leave to future gen- 
erations the record engraved upon these tablets. May no care- 
less hand ever deface them, and no ruthless hand ever do them 
violence. 

MR. Richardson's address. 

This is a day for memory, when our thoughts revert to other 
times and scenes. We stand today upon historic ground. In 
the breezes there once floated over this spot the milk-white ban- 
ner of Navarre, bespangled with the golden lilies of the Bourbon 
house. Here, too, floated the meteor flag of England — the cross 



372 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

in a field of blood ; and later was unfurled the starry banner of 
the free — which we love to think will never be supplanted. 

We can close our eyes, and see again in imagination the 
swarms of bark canoes, touching with their bows the sandy 
shores, while files of painted warriors grasp and carry them 
across this narrow isthmus, to embark again upon the waters 
of the great lake. We can hear again the laughter and song of 
those merry sons of France as they glide in richly laden batteaux 
over the surface of lake or bay. We see the files of the soldiers 
of the line, the voyagers, the hunters and trappers as they make 
their way across this portage. Here, too, we hear the savage 
war-whoop, the rattle of musketry and see the smoking ruins 
of the old blockhouse, and the stark bodies of the slain. 

You have done well to mark these places, for they teach 
the lessons of the past to those of the present and the future. 
The ceremonies here today give added evidence to the high state 
of civilization now attained. That people with no monuments 
to build have no history worth remembering. You build monu- 
ments to mark the pathway across this narrow neck of land, 
for it is the way by which civilization marched, and barbarism 
waged its unsuccessful resistance. 

This was strategic ground. Here, to and fro, the contending 
strength of Britain and France ebbed and flowed in the Colonial 
wars. Here, far remote from the armies along the sea-board, 
Americans and British sought to serve the cause of king and 
country in the Revolutionary struggle ; and here embarked those 
gallant sons of \'irginia and Rhode Island, who saved the north- 
west and broke the power of Britain in 1813 — William Henry 
Harrison and Oliver Hazard Perry. 

Erect your stately monuments, unveil your tablets of en- 
during bronze that the youth of these more favored generations 
may pause and consider the rugged path — 'the bloody footprints 
— the suffering unto death by which our fathers won our price- 
less heritage of free institutions. Teach the lessons of the past, 
remembering that the triumphs already won are only to be en^ 
joyed while they are deserved, the .lesson, that our free in- 
stitutions are ours only while we loyally preserve them under 
the salutary restraints of law. 



Old Fort Sandoski and the De Levy Portage. 373 

We hear much in these latter days of reviving the rule of 
the people, as though the people had not always ruled this land. 
Who are "the people?" Some would have us believe that "the 
people" is some mighty separate entity other than the individual 
members of every community, who taken together constitute the 
whole people of each community. "The people," my friends, 
are simply you and me and all of us, with our individual 
needs, individual ambitions and individual rights that each may 
indulge and exercise freely so long as we do not try to inter- 
fere with every other individual in the indulgence and exercise 
of his ambition and his rights. Now, men have been for long 
ages engaged in devising something to make human relations 
possible, where each shall be free, and yet bound to respect the 
freedom of every other individual. That something is called law. 

Freedom under law is not a mushroom growth. It is the 
product of long ages of evolution through tears and blood, be- 
cause it had human greed and avarice coupled with ignorance 
and degradation to contend against. 

America has been for a century and a quarter the great 
exemplar of this highest achievement in the science of free gov- 
ernment. Shall we throw it all away at the demand of the 
demagogue who, using "the people" as a name to conjure with, 
seeks the overthrow of the representative form of government 
founded by the fathers? Under it, we have made the most mar- 
velous material, intellectual and social progress the world has 
ever seen. There are those, who, impatient of restraint, seeking 
short cuts to selfish ends loudly proclaim that our constitution 
is outgrown and obsolete. They would pluck the fruit and kill 
the tree. They do not know its first principles. It has met suc- 
cessfully every exigency of our national life, and is no more 
obsolete than is the "Sermon on the Mount." 

If your reading of history has taught you any one thing 
more than another, it is this : That every great crime against 
civilization has been committed in the name of "the people." 
Every great despotism that has cursed the world, has been set 
up by popular acclaim, either purchased or coerced.- 

Every civilization that has crumbled into ruin has gone to 



374 Ohiv'Arch. and HiSi. Society Publications. 

its doom becausie rnen-<iuenched the fires upon the altars of their 
religion and corrupted the p^oplfe' by appeals to their cupidity. 

There are some aspects of our national politics which at 
this present timfe would be laughable if they were not so serious 
in possible consequence^.' I doubt not that if Phinius T. Barnum 
were alive now; he' wOuld recognize a great opportunity, and he 
would probably be' working his old game of fooling the American 
public by running for the presidential nomination, with "Let the 
people rule and elect me" inscribed upon his banner. 

The serious thing about it is, that matches in the hands of 
vicious boys near a straw-stack, with the wind toward the house 
and barn— make a combination that needs watching. 

Our population, being much more inflammable than when 
cool blood of northern latitudes predominated, is more in danger 
than ever, for the violent harangue of the oratorical firebrand 
who has his own "axe to grind." 

These patriotic societies will do their full duty only, as they 
strive to educate the mind and awaken the conscience, so that 
men may heed the lessons of the past and feel their moral re- 
sponsibility to the present. 

Thus, may we also place the coming generations in our debt, 
because, in these times of class animosities and factional con- 
fusion, we will have stood fast by the principles of the fathers, 
proven by the test of time and experience. 

The voices of the past — the spirit of our fathers — the call 
of ancestral ties — speak to us today. We bear a grave responsi- 
bility laid upon us by our very blood and lineage. Shall we not 
resolve to do our part worthily, that the principle of repre- 
sentative self-government, by free men under the restraints of 
just and equitable laws, shall not perish from the earth? 



INSCRIPTION ON MONUMENT OLD FORT SANDOSKI, OF 1 745. 

[West Face] 

Fort Sandoski, 

1745-1748, 1750-1751, 1761-1763 

"The first fort built by white men in Ohio, erected by British traders 

from Pennsylvania and Virginia in 1745, under the protection of the 

Huron Chief, Nicolas, and destroyed by him after his defeat by the 



Old Fort Sandoski and the De Levy Portage. 375 

French, in 1748, prior to his removal to the IlUnois Country. Rebuilt 
by the British in 1750, 'usurped by the French in 1751,' again rebuilt 
by British soldiers in 1761 after the surrender of Quebec and French 
sovereignty in America, and finally destroyed at the outbreak of Pontiac's 
conspiracy on May 18, 1763, when the fort was burned and the entire 
garrison massacred with the exception of the commandant. Ensign Pauli, 
who was carried off a prisoner to Pontiac, then besieging Detroit." 

Erected by The Ohio Society, Colonial Dames of America. 

[South Face] 
French Expedition, 1754. 

Across the de Levy Portage from Quebec to Detroit and Michili- 

maqiiinac {Mackinac) 

as noted in the Journal of the Chevalier Chaussegros de Lery, who, 
on August 4, 1754, landed near this spot "and discovered the ruins of 
the old fort." 

FORT SANDOSKI, 1745-1748, 1750-1751 

Monsieur Pean, Captain, Regimental Adjutant of Quebec, 

Commanding 1 
Monsieur St. Martin, Acting Major 
Monsieur Lery 

Monsieur St. Ours Lieutenants 3 

Monsieur Riganville 
Monsieur Desmeloises 
Monsieur Porneouf 

Monsieur Cournover Ensigns 4 

Father Bonnecamp, Jesuit 1 

Monsieur Forget Duverger, Jesuit of the Missions etran- 

geres 1 

Monsieur Mauvilles 
Monsieur Vigee 

Monsieur Garon Surgeons 3 

Monsieur Laforge, store keeper 1 

Monsieur Constant, an old interpreter 1 

27 canoes, each carrying 10 men 270 



285 

Tablet presented by the Ohio State Archseological and Historical Society. 

[North Face] 

British Expedition, 1700. 

"Across the De Lery portage from Quebec to Detroit and Michili- 
makanac to take over the French forts on the great lakes after the 



376 Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 

surrender of Quebec and French sovereignty in America, as noted in 
the journals of Major Robert Rogers, commanding his majesty's inde- 
pendent companies of rangers, who on the 18th of November, 1760, 
from his camp on Sandusky Lake demanded the surrender of Detroit." 
"'To Capt. Beleter or the Officer commanding at Detroit: 

" 'Sir, I have Gen. Amherst's orders to take possession of Detroit 
and such other posts as are in that district, which by capitulation agreed 
to between the M-arquis de Vandreuil and his excellency Major Gen. 
Amherst the 8th of September last, now belong to the King of Great 
Britain.' 

"Leaving Detroit 'on the 23d Dec. set out for Pittsburgh and march- 
ing along the west end of Lake Erie till the '^d of January, 1761, when 
we arrived at Lake Sandusky,' where the British for the third time 
built Fort Sandoski, leaving 'Ensign Pauli and fifteen men at San- 
dusky,' where he remained until the outbreak of Pontiac's conspiracy, 
when on the 18th of May, 1763, the Fort was burned, the entire garri- 
son massacred with the exception of the Commandant Ensign Pauli, 
who was carried a prisoner to Pontiac, then besieging Detroit.' 

Tablet presented by the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society. 

[East Face] 
Aaierican Expedition^ 1813 

"Across the de Lery portage from Fort Seneca to Detroit, as noted 
m Captain R. B. McAfee's History, 1816. 

"Major General Harrison on receiving word of Commodore Perry's 
victory, proceeded to Fort Stephenson and 'issued his orders for the 
movement of the troops and transportation of the provision, military 
stores, etc., to the margin of the lake, preparatory to their embarkation." 
The troops were marched down the old Sandusky-Scioto trail to its 
northern terminus on Lake Erie. 

" 'In bringing down the military stores and provisions from the posts 
on the Sandusky River to the vessels in the lake, a short land carriage 
became necessary to expedite embarkation. It was deemed more safe 
and expeditious to transport the stores and drag the boats across the 
isthmus, which was accomplished between the 15th and 20th of thie 
month (September, 1813). Each regiment was ordered to construct a 
strong fence of brush and fallen tianber in front of its encampment, 
which extended from Portage River to Sandusky River. Within this 
inclosure their horses were turned loose to graze on ample pastures of 
excellent grass.' " 



Old Fort Sandoski and the Dc Lery Portage. 2>11 

Tablet presented by the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society. 
INSCRIPTION ON HARRISON-PERRY EMBARKATION MONUMENT. 

[South Face] 

Old French War — Pontiac Conspiracy — Revolutionary War 

"Northern terminus of the old Indian water way and land trail, 
Sandusky-Scioto Route from Lake Erie to the Ohio River, used from 
the earliest records by Indian and French hunters, explorers, mission- 
aries and war parties, in passing from the St. Lawrence and the Great 
Lakes to the Ohio and Mississippi, and later known as the Harrison 
Trail of the War of 1812. On landing near this spot their light water 
craft were portaged fifty-seven arpents from Lake Erie across to Lac 
Sandoski, up the Sandusky River, across the Sandusky-Scioto portage 
and down the Scioto to the Ohio and Mississippi. 

"The Sandusky-Scioto trail along the banks of these rivers was the 
common battle ground of the French from Detroit and the British from 
Fort Pitt during the old French War, prior to the surrender of French 
sovereignty in America to Great Britain in 1700. 

"Colonel John Bradstreet's expedition for the recovery of the nine 
British posts captured in Pontiac's conspiracy sailed their larger water 
craft — sixty long boats, with 1,400 men — into Sandusky Bay, up to 
the lower falls of the Sandusky (Fremont), where they encamped Sept. 
20, 1764, the westernmost point reached. Returning, camped near where 
the old fort stood on the carrying place between Lakes Sandusky and 
Erie, where Major Israel Putnam began 'clearing the ground to construct 
a fort,' but October 18 whole decamped and embarked for Niagara." 

"During the Revolutionary War Major de Peyster, the British 
Commandant, sent Butler's rangers with cannon from Detroit up to 
the lower falls of the Sandusky, where they supported the Indians in 
the repulse of Crawford's expedition in 1782, which culminated in the 
burning of Colonel Crawford at the stake. 

"Later the British established a post at Lower Sandusky (Fremont). 

"Erected by the Ohio Society, Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion." 

[West Face.] 

War of 1812. 

"Captain Barclay's British fleet transporting General Proctor's 
British Army sailed up the Sandusky River to make their assault on 
Fort Stephenson, Aug. 1 and 2, 1813, of which General Sherman wrote: 

"The defense of Fort Stephenson by Croghan and his gallant 
little band was the necessary precursor to Perry's victory on the lakes 
and of General Harrison's triumphant victory at the battle of the 
Thames. These assured to our immediate ancestors the mastery of the 



378 



Ohio Arch, and Hist. Society Publications. 



great West, and from that day to this the West has been the bulwark 
of this nation.' 

"General Harrison sent expert riflemen from his army to help 
serve the guns on Commodore Perry's ships in the naval battle with 
the British fleet off this landing, from which on Sept. 10, 1813, Perry 
sent the following laconic note : 'We have met the enemy and they are 
ours, two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop.' 

"General Harrison immediately marched his troops over the old 
Sandusky-Scioto trail to this landing, but transported the stores down 
the Sandusky River and dragged the boats across the de Lery portage 
from Sandusky Bay to Lake Erie. The troops constructed a strong 
fence of brush and fallen timber across from Portage River to Sandusky 
River. Within this inclosure their horses were turned loose. General 
Harrison's army embarked on Commodore Perry's ships Sept. 20, stopped 
at Put-in-Bay and Middle Sister Island and landed in Canada Sept. 
27, where Proctor with his British regulars was defeated and Tecumseh 
with many of his Indians killed in the battle of the Thames, Oct. o, 1813. 

"The returning Ohio and Kentucky volunteers with their British 
prisoners collected their horses here, marched to their home over the 
old Sandusky-Scioto trail, which has since been known as the Har- 
rison trail of the war of 1812. 

"Erected by the National Society of the United States Daughters 
of 1812, State of Ohio." 

Monuments of boulders from the Marblehead Peninsula, ten feet 
in height by 5 feet square at the base, erected by the Business Men's 
Association of Port Clinton. Inscriptions preoared by Colonel Hayes, 
and tablets manufactured at the Rock Island (111.) Arsenal. 




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